Relevant or Irrelevant
Argument: Ban cell phones in schools.
Is this evidence relevant or irrelevant to the argument:
"Teachers are now using applications on smartphones that allow students to work on collaborative projects, like Edmodo, which keep students engaged" (Patrick, 2015).
What is irrelevant?
The argument is trying to ban phones, but the evidence shows how phones can be helpful!
Evidence or not evidence?
Using marijuana is less serious than drinking alcohol because alcohol can kill people, but marijuana has never killed anyone.
What is not evidence. There is no quotation marks, and it is opinion based, not fact.
This includes a claim, counterclaim, evidence, and a rebuttal. It should also have an introduction and a conclusion.
What is an argument
Does this rebuttal work?
Counterclaim: Teens should smoke marijuana to help them feel better.
Rebuttal: There are better ways to make yourself feel good that are not harmful to you or others, including counseling, exercise and journaling.
Yes! The rebuttal proves the counterclaim wrong
What's the reason?
When arguing with your mom over a new bike, your reasons would be:
-too small
-handlebars hit knees
-rusty
-falling apart
-?
Argument = we should legalize marijuana
Is this evidence relevant or irrelevant to the argument?
"Teens who use marijuana daily before age 17 are more than 60% less likely to get their high school diploma than those who've never used pot, according to a new study published Tuesday in the journal The Lancet Psychiatry" (CNN, 2014)
What is irrelevant?
The argument says marijuana should be legalized, but the quote demonstrates how marijuana has bad side effects and impacts on those who use it.
Evidence, or nah?
"Researchers have stated that students who skip lunch has lower metabolisms, and are more likely to suffer from depression" (Gonzalez, 2014).
What is EVIDENCE! There is factual information, and it is cited properly.
This part of an argument is a single statement that says what the authors opinion is.
What is a claim.
Does this rebuttal work?
Counterclaim: Schools should NOT ban junk food in school because healthy food tastes bad.
Rebuttal: There is no rule that says that healthy food has to taste bad! There are healthy snacks that are salty, crunchy, sweet, and delicious to eat, they should try them first.
Yes this is a rebuttal. The counterclaim does not want schools to ban junk food because healthy food tastes bad. The rebuttal proves them wrong by saying that not all healthy food tastes bad.
What's the claim?
When arguing with your mom over a new bike, your claim would be:
I need a new bike.
In an argument that supports illegal music downloading, is the evidence below relevant or irrelevant?
"Musicians make the majority of their money from ticket sales to live concerts, not from downloaded or purchased music" (Apple, 2015).
What is relevant?
Evidence, or no way?
People who like tacos also tend to like burritos and nachos, because they're all Mexican food.
What is NOT EVIDENCE. This is just an opinion...
This part of an argument includes some kind of verifiable fact or experience. More often than not it is cited directly from a text. Fact based!
What is evidence?
Does this rebuttal work?
Counterclaim: We should ban cell phones in school because they cause a distraction.
Rebuttal: Using cell phones during school can also lead to problems with cyberbullying, which can lead to teens committing suicide.
No. The rebuttal is agreeing with the counterclaim, when really the rebuttal should prove how the counterclaim is wrong.
What's the evidence?
When arguing with your mom over a new bike, your evidence would be:
Research shows that riding a bike not only improves physical fitness, it also benefits my learning development and mental health. It is also good for the environment, and it will give us another fun activity to do as a family
Or...?
In an argument that supports selling junk food at school, is the following relevant or irrelevant:
"Junk food is, without a doubt, terrible for students' health. However, with freedom comes responsibility, and choices should not be limited based on the possibility of future illness" (Smith, 2015).
What is relevant?
Is this evidence?
"Parents really need to chaperone their kids to school dances, because they really don't know what their kids are up to, and who they're with. Parental involvement is important, especially to teens," Jones stated in an interview with the Kansas City Star.
What is NOT EVIDENCE. That's just like, their opinion, man. Although there are quotation marks, it comes from a regular interview. It is not data/fact based.
This part of an argument is opposing the claim and states what the opposing viewpoint thinks and why they think it.
What is a counterclaim
Does this rebuttal work?
Counterclaim: Students should only go to school for 9 months of the year because year-round school is expensive.
Rebuttal: In Germany, there are schools that only go for a half-day. Yet, students successfully complete 2 years of college before they ever graduate high school! There's no need to be in school more - just be better with the time you have.
No, this rebuttal flopped. The rebuttal is agreeing that students only really need 9 months of school because other countries have proven it to work.
For it to work, they should have argued why students should be in school longer.
What's the counterclaim?
You mom might think that you don’t need a new bike because the one you have is just fine. Her counterclaim would be:
Your current bike is good enough.
In an argument supporting banning marijuana sales to teens, is the following evidence relevant or irrelevant?:
"The article expressly states that there remains no evidence that using marijuana causes depression, suicide or dropping out of school," he said. "It simply shows that teens who are prone to developing these problems are more likely to have used marijuana."
What is irrelevant? The evidence explains the negative effects, but the argument is trying to prove marijuana to be beneficial.
Is this evidence?
"The worst traffic in the world is in Istanbul, Turkey. Commuters there spend over 125 hours per year waiting in traffic" (Routers, 2015).
Yes, this is evidence!
This part of an argument answers the counterclaim in hopes to convince the reader that their original claim is correct.
What is a rebuttal?
Does this rebuttal work?
Counterclaim: We should not have year-round school because it is expensive.
Rebuttal: Most parents prefer students attend year-round school, saying they would gladly pay a few more dollars in taxes so their child can learn more during the summer.
YES! The rebuttal is trying to prove the counterclaim is wrong.
What's the rebuttal:
When arguing with your mom over a new bike, your REBUTTAL would be:
“Mom, I know you think my current bike is good enough, but I’m not able to ride my bike as much I’d like to because the chains are falling off and I am worried I will get hurt with the handlebars being so small.”